#Downtown Disney West Side – Rooting to Rise

Welcome to those of you joining me from Rolling with the Magic and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

Need a day off from the parks? Looking for a leisure day of shopping, shows, action, and a variety of cuisine?

Then Downtown Disney is the perfect place for you! Day or night this place is hopping with excitement! This Mecca of diverse amusement is divided into three sections.

Marketplace,

Pleasure Island,

and West Side.

I would suggest finding a map or using My Disney Experience on your smartphone to help navigate through this island of entertainment.

Let’s begin with shopping ~ Shopping in Walt Disney World is a MUST! Where else can we get our fix of a multitude of Disney merchandise?

Clothing to Crystals, Pins to Vinylmation -it’s here! Let’s start out in Marketplace, this is where the majority of DTD (Downtown Disney) retail locations reside. You can design a special Disney Family T-shirt,

find that special family holiday ornament,

and visit Mickey’s Pantry for a unique culinary utensil.

Browse through a shop of extraordinary works of art, or are the kids begging for something a little more fun? Check out the magnificent Lego Imagination Center, where you can build your own Lego car and enter it in a race amongst other Lego enthusiasts!

Some specialty shops that intrigue me are Lefty’s, where gifts are geared to that special left handed someone in your life, Marketplace Fun Finds- everything is $25.00 and under, a great place to find souvenirs that won’t break the bank! And my all time personal favorite store Tren-D!

The most awesome Disney Designed clothing and accessories!

If you don’t have the patience to visit all these specialty shops then I suggest two places, World of Disney and the brand new amazing Marketplace Co-Op. World of Disney just about covers every shopping need one may have, if you need it, most likely World of Disney has it. The brand new Marketplace Co-Op houses an array of specialty items, many of which are Disney themed.

We can keep on shopping but we have other places to visit, anyone hungry? Let’s eat! Just want a snack, need something sweet? Want to sit down and relax while you enjoy a delicious meal? You can do all that at DTD. You can find food trucks, pubs, candy shops, fun dining, and fine dining.

A fairly new addition to DTD cuisine is food trucks offering dishes inspired by each of the Disney theme parks. These trucks will be finding their permanent home this summer in the West Side area.

Some of my favorite inexpensive in price but rich in flavor eateries are, Earl of Sandwich and Wolf Gang Puck Express both found within Marketplace. Food is fresh and made to order, I am never disappointed when dining at either location.

If you are looking for FUN dining, my all time favorite is T-Rex, located in Pleasure Island.

Each room is themed in varied prehistoric landscapes with a raining meteor shower every 15 minutes.

Right outside is a Dino Dig Bone Yard to keep the kids entertained while waiting for a table.

If Fine Dining is more your speed, Fulton’s Crab House or Portobello can both be found in Pleasure Island. Fulton’s is located in a large paddleboat permanently docked at the entrance to Pleasure Island and centers most of their menu on seafood, though chicken and steak are available as well.

Portobello is Italian cuisine in a Mediterranean setting; indoor and outdoor lakeside seating is available.

Looking for that laid back pub feel? Head over to Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant located in Pleasure Island. They have an amazing menu along with a great array of beverages to help make your smile even brighter!

You may be treated to some Irish Step Dancing while dining; if you choose to dine later in the evening you will be entertained by a live band.

Take a little BBQ, some outdoor seating, live entertainment and a great cocktail and you have The Smokehouse at House of Blues in West Side. It doesn’t get more laid back than this!

Time to get your sweet on! We can stay in West Side and check out the Candy Cauldron or hike it back to Marketplace to Goofy’s Candy Co.

Either one promises to delight with their brightly colored sugary concoctions! What’s that? You wanted ice cream? Then come on, we’re going to Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop!

You can smell the aroma of warm fudgey chocolate even before reaching the door!

So are we full? I’d say so! Ready for more fun?

DTD has an range of entertainment; rain or shine they have it covered! Most of this amusement takes place in West Side, let’s take a look at what’s going on!

Have you ever been in a Hot Air Balloon? Me either, but we can at DTD’s Characters in Flight Balloon Ride! Travel 400 feet in the air for a 360 degree view of Disney Property!

Disney Quest is out next stop. This is not just your ordinary arcade; in this building you will find 5 stories of cutting edge technology – check out what Disney Imagineers dreamt up for these interactive experiences.

24 screens, 5,400 seats ……. A stadium? Close, it’s AMC Downtown Disney 24. Check out the latest flicks and enjoy a little lunch or dinner at the same time!

How about checking out the new Splitsville Bowling Alley……. And so much more, see the video below to find out what else you can experience in this entertainment complex!

Splitsville at Downtown Disney West Side

We must not leave without seeing Cirque Du Soliel – La Nouba – A theatrical circus presentation. I have read this is the best live entertainment venue in Orlando! You will not see this show anywhere else; it is made specifically for Disney! I have been told it’s a “not to miss experience” and it is at the top of my “Must See” list!

Besides all this you can find great street entertainment throughout the streets of Pleasure Island and the outskirts of West Side. Look for a times guide for information on which bands are performing when you are visiting or find an updated entertainment schedule on this website wdwent.com